Is It Lee Jae-myung or a New Figure? ... The Opposition Party Leader Race Surfaces

Critical Views on Lee Jae-myung's Candidacy
Expansion of the '7080' vs '586' Generational Clash

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] With two months remaining until the party convention to elect the new leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea, behind-the-scenes competition within the party has begun. While the candidacy of Lee Jae-myung, a leading candidate and former presidential nominee, is being anticipated, voices calling for new figures such as the 70s and 80s generation to emerge are also growing louder.

On the 18th, Lee held a meeting with supporters at the outdoor performance venue on Gyeyang Mountain in Incheon under the theme "Shall we walk together, a comforting walk with Lee Jae-myung." This was his first official event since entering the National Assembly on the 7th. Recently, Lee has been increasing his public appearances. On the 17th, he also attended the "RE100 Implementation, Challenges and Solutions for Direct Renewable Energy Purchasing" forum held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building, delivering a congratulatory speech.

In political circles, there is an analysis that Lee is highly likely to run for the party leader election at the August party convention. Although he is refraining from official party activities, he continues to actively engage with supporters online. Pro-Lee lawmakers are also resisting the emphasis on "Lee Jae-myung responsibility theory" within the party, saying "Individuals should not be blamed."

However, there are critical views that his candidacy may have little practical benefit for his future political trajectory. A Democratic Party lawmaker said, "If he becomes party leader, he will likely bear full responsibility for the results of the next general election," adding, "Since Lee is a great asset to the party, it might be better to protect him by giving it time."

Meanwhile, within the party, voices demanding new leadership to revitalize the party after consecutive election defeats are gaining momentum. In particular, the claim that the '70s and 80s generation' should become party leader to counter the dominant 586 generation within the party has rapidly gained traction.

Second-term lawmaker Kang Hoon-sik, on the 17th on KBS Radio's "Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs," responded to questions about running for party leader by saying, "I am seriously listening to the demand that the Democratic Party needs change, and it is true that I am deeply reflecting on what is required of me," leaving open the possibility of running.

Park Ju-min, who previously ran in the Seoul mayoral primary, also said on YTN Radio that day regarding running for party leader, "I am currently at the stage of listening," adding, "Yesterday, two senior lawmakers gave me various suggestions." Other lawmakers such as Kang Byung-won and Jeon Jae-soo have also expressed that they are considering running.

On the other hand, senior lawmakers within the party have also hinted at the possibility of running. Five-term lawmaker Seol Hoon of the Democratic Party said about his candidacy, "I plan to organize and announce it soon." Four-term lawmaker Woo Won-shik also said, "I ran in the last party convention and, as someone who thinks about how to build our party, I am currently contemplating what the right course of action is in this crisis," leaving the door open.

Nonetheless, there is no disagreement that if Lee runs, his chances of winning are high. A Democratic Party official explained, "If Lee runs, other candidates within the party will lose their significance," adding, "How the leadership, including the Supreme Council members, is formed will be the key issue."

The Party Convention Preparation Committee, led by Chairman Ahn Kyu-baek, plans to complete the composition of the committee members within two weeks and begin full-scale discussions on the 'convention rules.'

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.